I was thinking of this very issue this week.  A client I've been working
with is having trouble getting baby to go to one breast--inverted nipple and
thick tissue.  The other side is fine.  She took baby in for a weight check
and baby had gained 9 oz in a week.  All was joy until Ped came in and asked
if she was feeding both breasts.  (He knew of the problem with one breast.)
When told that she isn't, he said, "You have one week to get the baby
feeding on the second breast.  If you don't you will have to stop
breastfeeding and go to the bottle because the baby can't get enough milk
from one breast." (GRRRRRR!)

The baby was a couple of ounces under birth weight, but Mom felt that his
objection was to her feeding at just one breast.

I remembered a post from Dr. Jack about HCPs being *advisors* on health.
But that it is still up to the patient whether or nor he/she will lose
weight, take steps to lower cholesterol, etc.  The problem is that the
medical fields that deal with birth, infants and children take the position
of "protector of the young" often against mothers.  I've heard Peds say that
dealing with mothers is their most annoying challenge. And we all know of
the disrespect mothers giving birth receive in most hospitals.

And there is certainly the patriarcal component.  When I hear how some docs
talk to mothers and see that the mothers *aren't* indignant over the
behavior I see how deeply these destructive patterns are.

And as I quoted before, "The medical establishment will get off their
pedestals when we get off our knees."

The mom I wrote about at the beginning of this post chose to return for this
week's weight check and to lie.  Baby's weight gain was good and he asked if
she was feeding both breasts. She said, "yes." He was pleased. And, of
course, left uneducated.  That is one way to deal with ignorance and dominance.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee


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